Cash Register Goes Digital With Revamped 'Square' App

Square, the mobile payment processing company founded by Twitter exec Jack Dorsey, unveiled a revamped version of its app intended to streamline the discovery and check-out process on the iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.

Square, the mobile payment processing company founded by Twitter exec Jack Dorsey, unveiled a revamped version of its app today intended to streamline the discovery and check-out process on the iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.

The Square Register app for iPad essentially brings the cash register to the Apple tablet. Business owners can customize the iPad with photos of their products and prices, sortable by category. The app can also keep track of inventory, generate digital receipts for customers, and create "digital storefronts" that customers can peruse while they're in the neighborhood.

"Cash registers and credit card terminals are relics of an expensive, complicated, and impersonal commercial transaction system," according to Dorsey, who unveiled the updated app at TechCrunch Disrupt in New York. "We're transforming everyday transactions between buyers and sellers into something special."

The Menus feature, for example, will let businesses create a "digital sandwich board" that advertises current menus, prices, daily specials, and popular trending items right to customer's phone.

If that prompts someone to make a purchase, meanwhile, users can use the new "Card Case" feature (right) to set up Tabs at their favorite merchants. Card Case is activated via a text message invitation from Square after you make a credit card purchase at a participating merchant.

"Order a coffee or sandwich, and walk away. Payment is automatic," according to Square.

"The @Square card case is the simplest and most magical way to pay everyday," Dorsey tweeted.

Card Case is currently available at 50 Square merchants in Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. A complete list is available on Square's Web site. Businesses that want to sign up for Card Case can do so on the same site.

The iPad and iPhone app is available now; Card Case for Android devices is coming soon.

Dorsey announced Square in December 2009. The company formally launched for iOS and Android devices in May 2010, allowing street vendors and other users to accept credit-card payments on the go. In late March, Dorsey announced that he would return to Twitter as executive chairman, but continue his CEO duties at Square.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
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